Current news has focused on the increase in autism, the growing need for disability support in the US, and the sustainability of the US Dept. of Education in addressing these issues. Before the US enacted laws to educate and provide support for persons with disabilities, services and supports were either inadequate, inappropriate, or nonexistent. This presentation will provide a history of special education and disability support in the United States, clarifying terminology, legal rights, and evidence-based practices, culminating with a glimpse into an uncertain future. The presenter has 50 years of experience working with persons with disabilities from preschool through adulthood as a teacher, professor, and advocate. The presentation will include an overview of disabilities and support across the life span and should be of interest to anyone who has a disability or a family member with a disability.